Bjorklund, Michael

S00589106

4/30/13

Bus-1050-002

 

E-portfolio on ASSIGNMENT # 33 “The Greening of Corporate America”

 

Greening America has been a heavy and important political topic over the past few years. Harvey Meyer, the author of this section is a writer, other than that there is little to be found on who he is. Searching only there are other Harvey Meyer professors, business men, journalists, without his full name it is hard to know which Meyer he is. Leaving his name and reputation aside, the article and facts he addresses have sound evidence allowing any reader to give credence to his writing.

 

 His aim in writing this article is to promote smart “green” goals for companies. The text explains how many companies are starting to focus more on green energy and alternative ways to save energy costs. Examples included are recycling, using different types of light bulbs, refurbishing older products extending their life. The article also explains how the companies that find efficient ways to reduce energy usually save money through reduced power bills, labor costs, more efficient labor, and happier working conditions. There is a warning, however, that companies who create an inefficient “green” plan can end up paralyzing themselves financially.

 

This article was written in 2000 during a time where companies are facing more public awareness and government influence on them, helping to influence them to go green. This was written in the U.S. and is relevant to business because now days there is a heavy influence and demand to go green. If a company is damaging the environment maliciously they will be branded destroyers and will most likely lose profit and/or will lose public approval. There are also many incentives for companies to go green, both in government grants and marketing campaigns. Personally I didn’t know Xerox went to such lengths to reuse and recycle old printers. It makes me feel more secure and safe with the knowledge that I just bought a Xerox printer. I can see why going green can make a company look responsible and reputable.

 

The phrase “Greening” means that a company, organization, etc… is looking for ways to reduce waste, conserve energy, and protect the environment.  It is an important and positive move. Here are a few companies that have failed to keep up on protecting the environment and society and by so doing have cost the lives of innocent people. Love-Canal, New York is a 36 square blocks of land where Hooker Chemical buried 21000 tons of toxic waste. It was sold to Niagara Falls School Board for $1, expressing all the details about the waste buried there. The city being pushed to provide more places of education built schools and neighborhoods on top of where the waist was buried. During a rain storm the toxic waste eventually became exposed. These toxic chemicals came in contact with many children and homes in the area.

Another example was in Bhopal India Plant owned by Union Carbide. There was a gas leak of methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals that spread through local towns exposing over 500,000 people to this deadly gas, killing 3,787 people and injuring hundreds of thousands more with injuries ranging from permanent damage to minor injuries. The last example used is Three Mile Island were a partial nuclear meltdown of reactors in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania released small amounts of radioactive gases and radioactive iodine into the environment. This could have been a potentially catastrophic disaster if it had completely melted down. Luckily for the people of Pennsylvania this was contained.

 

These disasters make people think what is the true cost of business? Is it just profits? There are many costs to doing business: social, financial, ecological, and political. All that added together would be the true cost of business. Trying to calculate the true cost of business including environment, the dependence effect, and human alienation is almost impossible. I don’t believe it is possible to calculate the cost of business mainly because social costs can’t be measured. If the cost are that high than the value of profit would be small if everyone knew the true cost in a company. This is why going green helps to give back to society and protect it.

 

Not all “green” can be good. Business can still have a green attitude even if they don’t know all the negative effects of their company. Just as a business can have a green attitude even if they don’t understand the positive outcomes of their actions. A green attitude means they are making efforts to become environmentally friendly. This doesn’t guaranty they are perfect in their methods of reaching a green standard. In the end it comes down to corporate decision if they join in or not.

 

The Corporate environmental consciousness is how the management feels towards its environmental goals. Whether corporate sees them as important and essential providing for growth, or sees going green as a hindrance and a roadblock. Finally, the benefits of corporations going green are that they take responsibility for society; there is more efficient ways to production becoming more efficient with resources. They use less energy, they save money, and create a positive reputation with society.

 

“TEN NEW VOCABULARY WORDS”

 

1.       Palpable: Able to be touched or felt.

2.       Zeal: Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

3.       Epiphany: A usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.

4.       Lackluster: Lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired.

5.       Lauded: Praise highly, esp. in a public context.

6.       Vociferously: Crying out noisily; clamorous.

7.       Recalcitrance: Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority.

8.       Audacious: Showing a willingness to take bold risks.

9.       Mediocre: Of only moderate quality; not very good.

10.   Proxy: A person authorized to act on behalf of another.